Art selections

Madison is currently drafting a five-year cultural plan, designed to "seek ways to enhance Madison's role as a center of creativity and innovation."

To this end, the city is doing the usual surveys and focus groups. But it's also asking citizens to take the lead on gathering information by holding informal get-togethers, says Karin Wolf, the city's arts program administrator.

This could take the form of a dinner party where people meet to talk it over or an "MC shouting out to an audience at the High Noon, 'Where was the last place you saw live music in Madison?'" Wolf says.

"I know it's asking a lot to have people do this on their own," Wolf says. "This tool will be most useful if it's a grassroots assessment. We're trying to find creative ways to get into all sorts of communities."